Hundreds Of Sailors Reunited With Family At Naval Station Everett After 7-Month Deployment

Editor’s Update Friday 8-12-2022: Here’s an update from Naval Station Everett on the return of the USS Gridley and USS Sampson Thursday.

News from Naval Station Everett, Washington:

USS Gridley and USS Sampson Return Home from Deployment

Two Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, USS Gridley (DDG 101) and USS Sampson (DDG 102), returned home to Naval Station Everett August 11 after completing a seven-month deployment. Both ships departed Everett in route to U.S. 7th Fleet on Dec. 30.

Gridley served with Carrier Strike Group 3 as an air defense and anti-submarine unit and as an escort for the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). The ship conducted operations in the South China Sea, Gulf of Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Pakistan.

Gridley’s commanding officer Cmdr. Meghan Bodnar said, “I am tremendously proud of my Sailors and their accomplishments during this highly dynamic deployment, which featured new, demanding and often-changing mission sets. They demonstrated an awe-inspiring level of tenacity, grit and sheer talent on a daily basis and it is truly an honor and a privilege to serve with them at sea.”

Sampson conducted independent operations in and around the South China Sea that included providing humanitarian aid to Tonga following tsunami damage. They also helped to recover and salvage the downed F-35C Lightning II from Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). The crew participated in multiple exercises in locations such as the East China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.

Sampson’s commanding officer Cmdr. Mike Bencini said, “No matter the mission set on deployment, Sampson sailors epitomized America’s fighting spirit, toughness, endurance, and tenacious resolve to never give up and never give in. Deployment provided readiness-strengthening opportunities for Sampson and our multiple partners throughout the Indo-Pacific region. My crew seized the opportunity to conduct missions smartly and they thrived operating alongside one another. I am humbled and inspired by them daily. All of the friends and families supporting them should be very proud of their service.”

For more details about each ship’s deployment, visit https://cnrnw.cnic.navy.mil/Installations/NS-Everett/.

USS Gridley on Facebook: https://facebook.com/gridley101/

USS Sampson on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/USSSampson

The sounds of the Pointer Sisters “We Are Family” blasted on the pier at Naval Station Everett this morning as hundreds of sailors were reunited with family members after a 7-month deployment. Two Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, the USS Gridley (DDG 101) and USS Sampson (DDG 102) deployed in January with Carrier Strike Group Three, led by the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). The Lincoln returned to their home port in San Diego today. Sailors lined the rails of the two ships as they docked at Naval Station Everett this morning. Here are a couple photos of the ships coming into port. Click photo to enlarge.

The USS Gridley approaches Naval Station Everett

The Gridley comes through the security fence to the pier.

Sailors line the rail of the USS Sampson

Two tug boats assist the USS Sampson in docking at the pier.